Int. J. Biosci.

2017

International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |

ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 68-74, 2017

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Major diseases of cashew (Anacardium Occidentale L.) Caused

by fungi and their control in Odisha, India

Akhtari Khatoon1, Ashirbad Mohapatra2, Kunja Bihari Satapathy*1

1
P. G. Department of Botany, Utkal University, Odisha, India
2
Sri Jayadev College of Education and Technology, Naharkanta, Odisha, India

Key words: Cashew plant, Fungi, Nutritional study, Pathogenicity test and fungicide

http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/11.1.68-74 Article published on July 11, 2017

Abstract

Cashew is an important cash crop in India but the incidence of diseases incur considerable losses in cashew
plantations leading to reduction both in terms of quality and quantity. The present investigation was to study the
fungi associated with cashew plant in Odisha in view of the warm and humid climate. Isolation, identification,
pathogenicity test and nutritional study of the test fungi as well as the control was undertaken in vitro. The result
of the study revealed that seven species of fungi namely Pestalotiopsis palmarum, Phyllosticta sp.,
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and
Chaetomium brassiliense were responsible for various diseases. Pestalotiopsis palmarum and Phyllosticta sp.
were found to cause leaf spots; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing leaf spot, die back and gummosis of
stem; Botryodiplodia theobromae causing inflorescence blight, die-back of twigs and stem gummosis; Fusarium
oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani causing seedling blight and root rot and Chaetomium brassiliense being
responsible for causing storage rots in cashew nuts. Pathogenicity test revealed that all the test fungi were
pathogenic to their respective host parts except stem gummosis. The results of the nutritional study on different
solid media indicated that Malt Extract Agar medium supported the maximum mycelial growth of all the test
fungi except Chaetomium brassiliense and Phyllosticta sp. In-vitro antifungal activity of some selected
fungicides indicated that Bavistin could control all the pathogenic fungi by 100 %. Further studies can
recommend suitable control measures for the farmers and commercial growers.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Kunja Bihari Satapathy  kbs_bot@rediffmail.com

68 Khatoon et al.
 Int. J. Biosci.
Introduction
Anacardium occidentale L. belonging to the family
Anacardiaceae is a native to Brazil and was
introduced to India five centuries ago. Cashew is an
important cash crop and India ranks second to Brazil
in production (Shanthi and Vittal, 2012). In Odisha,
cashew plantation started in 1954-55 by the Soil
Conservation Department mainly as a cover crop.
Later on, the State Forest Department and Odisha
Forest Development Corporation were involved in the
cashew plantation for rehabilitation of degraded
forest lands. The diseases of cashew had been
considered as minor importance in earlier days. Now
some of them have been found to be serious to cause
considerable losses in cashew plantations. A number
of fungi are found to attack this field crop thereby
leading to loss in productivity. Lasiodiplodia and
Fusarium species were isolated from diseased
inflorescences, Lasiodiplodia and Pestalotia species
from infected twigs while Fusarium and Pestalotia
species were associated with leaf blight of cashew
(Adeniyi et al., 2011). Inflorescence dieback is a
serious disease of cashew caused by Lasiodiplodia
theobromae (Teixeira, 1988). Twig dieback caused by
Lasiodiplodia theobromae has remained a major
factor limiting cashew production for decades in
Nigeria (Olunloyo, 1983; Hammed and Adedeji,
2008). Other fungi named Pestalotia heterocornis
Guba. is associated with leaf blight of cashew (Joshi,
2005). Suleiman (2010) isolated Trichoderma
viridae, Cephalosporium sp. and Aspergillus niger
from the diseased nuts of cashew. In southern
Tanzania during August 2002 a new and damaging
leaf and nut blight disease was observed on young
tissues of cashew. From tropical regions,
Cryptosporiopsis species have been isolated which is
the first record of this genus attacking cashew (Vajna
and Rozsnyay, 2006). A new and undescribed
Cryptosporiopsis species was consistently isolated
from the nut and leaf lesions of cashew (Sutton,
1980). Some species potentially toxigenic fungi such
as Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus clavatus, A.
flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus, A. ustus,
Penicillium citrinum and P. oxalicum were frequently
isolated from cashew kernels in Brazil (Freire and
Kozakiewicz, 2005).
69 Khatoon et al.
2017
In view of little work being carried out on fungal
diseases of cashew plant in Odisha conditions, the
present study was undertaken to find out the major
fungal pathogens, the diseases they cause including
cashew nuts in Odisha and to control by using some
fungicides.
Materials and methods
The present investigation was carried out in the P. G.
Department of Botany, Utkal University,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Odisha lies between the
latitudes 17.78 °N and 22.73 °N, and between
longitude as 81.37E and 87.53E. The state has an area
of 155,707 km2, which is 4.87% of total area of India,
and a coastline of 450 km (Geography of Odisha,
2015). In summer, maximum temperature ranges
between 35-40 °C and the low temperatures are
usually between 12-14 °C. The average rainfall is 150
cm, experienced as the result of south west monsoon
during July-September (Odisha Tourism, 2015).
Collection of diseased samples
The infected leaves, twigs, roots of infected seedlings,
inflorescence and bark of gummosis infected plants
were randomly collected from different local gardens
of Khordha, Puri, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and
Cuttack districts of Odisha, India. To study the fungal
rots of nuts, two years old cashew nuts samples were
collected from different market places including store
houses of Odisha.
The diseased samples were collected and kept
separately in sterile polythene bags with properly
labeled and brought to the Laboratory of
Microbiology, P. G. Department of Botany of Utkal
University, Bhubaneswar, Vani Vihar, Odisha and
India for phyto pathological analysis.
Isolation and Identification of associated Fungi
The diseased plant samples of Anacardium
occidentale L. were washed with tap water and
surface sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride
solution for 2-3 minutes. The samples were cut
through by means of sterile knife. Slicing was done
starting from the healthy portions. Pieces of 5 × 5 mm
were cut and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA)
medium and incubated at room temperature for 24 to
35 hours.
 Int. J. Biosci.
Representative colony types were purified by sub-
culturing on fresh PDA plates. Pure cultures were
transferred to slants of PDA. Pure cultures of the
isolates were grown singly on PDA for identification.
The isolated fungi were identified based on the
isolates colonial characteristics on culture plates and
microscopic features in slide cultures. Using a sterile
inoculating needle portion of each mycelial colony
was aseptically taken and placed on a clean
microscopic slide and teased in a drop of lacto-phenol
cotton blue.
The isolates were identified by the help of the
available literature and further authentication was
made in the Department of Plant Pathology, Odisha
University of Agriculture and Technology,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Pathogenicity test
Healthy seedlings of about 7-8 months old were
collected from local nursery to test the pathogenicity
test on leaves, twigs and roots. For testing
pathogenicity on inflorescence and nuts, apparently
healthy nuts as well as inflorescence were collected
from different local cashew farms. All the collected
healthy plant parts were surface sterilized with 0.1 %
mercuric chloride for 2-3 minutes. A sterilized needle
was used to create wound on the healthy leaves, twigs,
stems and nuts; and were inoculated with spore or
mycelium of the respective fungus. A wound was
made on and inoculated with only PDA to serve as
control and all wrapped with parafilm. For the
healthy inflorescences, spore suspensions of the
culture isolates were sprayed on them and the
unsprayed served as control. For healthy seedlings,
the earthen pots containing sterilized soil was
inoculated with desired fungus moistened with sterile
water and covered with polythene bags. Each isolate
was replicated three times. The cashew parts were
observed for the development of disease symptoms.
Physiological study
A comparative nutritional study was conducted to
know the effect of different solid nutritional media on
the mycelial growth of seven fungal species causing
diseases in cashew.
70 Khatoon et al.
2017
The test solid media were Malt Extract Agar Medium
(MEA), Potato Dextrose Agar Medium (PDA),
Richard’s Agar Medium (RA) and Czapek’s Sucrose
Nitrate Agar (CSNA).
In-vitro evaluation of efficacy of selected fungicides
The effects of nine fungicides were tested for their
ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of the test fungi
at the rate of 0.1 % (1000 mg/1 liter). The test
fungicides were Bavistin, Blitox-50, Macozeb, sulfex,
Captaf, Radomil, Dhanucop, Captafal and Indofil.
Each fungicide, at the rate of 0.1 % ingredient as
incorporated in potato dextrose agar medium after
sterilization, mixed thoroughly and plated in Petri
plates. Medium without test chemicals was also
plated so as to serve a control. Each plate was
inoculated at the centre of the Petri plates with a
mycelial disc of 2 mm in diameter taken from the
periphery of seven day old colony of the desired
fungus-fungicide combination. The colony diameter
was measured in each case, in two planes, one at the
right angle to the other, on the 10th day of treatment.
Results
Isolation of fungi from different infected plant parts
of Anacardium occidentale L. and its pathogenicity
Total seven genera of fungi were found to be
responsible for causing diseases in Anacardium
occidentale L. plant. These are Pestalotiopsis,
Phyllosticta, Botryodiplodia, Colletotrichum,
Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Chaetomium.
The data on the incidence of fungi on different
diseased plant parts of Anacardium occidentale L.
revealed that three genera of fungi such as
Pestalotiopsis, Colletotrichum and Phyllosticta were
encountered with 59 diseased leaf samples showing
leaf-spots, Botryodiplodia and Colletotrichum from
37 diseased samples showing die-back and 21
diseased samples showing stem gummosis; two
namely Fusarium and Rhizoctonia from 28 diseased
samples showing seedling blight and one each namely
Botryodiplodia collected from 17 diseased samples of
inflorescence and Chaetomium from 7 diseased
samples of nuts in varying frequencies in different
localities. The pathogenicity test revealed that all the
fungal isolates were pathogenic to their respective
host plant parts (Table 1).
 Int. J. Biosci. 2017

Table 1. Incidence of fungi in diseased samples of Anacardium occidentale L. plant parts.

Diseases Fungal isolates Frequency of incidence (%)
Leaf-spot 1. Pestalotiopsis palmarum 50.84
2. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 33.89
3. Phyllosticta sp. 15.25

Die-back 1. Botryodiplodia theobromae 70.27

2. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 29.72
Inflorescence-blight Botryodiplodia theobromae 100
Stem gummosis 1. Botryodiplodia theobromae 52.38
2. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 47.61
Seedling blight/ root rot 1. Fusarium oxysporum 28.57
2. Rhizoctonia solani 71.42
Nuts infection Chaetomium brassiliense 100

Physiological studies gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum,

Studies on effect of five different solid media on the Pestalotiopsis palmarum and Rhizoctonia solani
mycelial growth of seven isolated fungal species whereas potato Dextrose Agar Medium favored the
revealed that there was a significant variation among maximum mycelia growth of Phyllosticta sp. and
the media on mycelial growth. In a comparative Chaetomium brassiliense. It might be seen from the
study, it was found that Malt Extract Agar Medium Table 2 that there was significant differences among
supported the maximum mycelial growth for the media tested for the mycelial growth of Fusarium
Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum oxysporum (Table 2).

Table 2. Effect of four solid media on the growth of test fungi in mm.
Test fungi PDA MEA RA CSNA
Botryodiplodia theobromae 79.45 ± 1.05 82.17 ± 1.51 64 ± 0.81 67.35± 1.06
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 51.26 ± 0.64 72.3 ± 1.47 54.4 ± 1.41 59.24 ± 0.98
Pestalotiopsis palmarum 56.43 ± 1.22 64.04 ± 0.81 54.4 ± 1.23 51.57 ± 1.22
Phyllosticta sp. 60.42 ± 1.97 58.53 ± 1.13 48.01 ± 1.63 58.5 ± 0.4
Fusarium oxysporum 51.1 ± 1.9 64 ± 1.63 59.62 ±2.04 57.56 ± 1.22
Rhizoctonia solani 63.14 ± 0.95 64.5 ± 1.22 57 ± 0.81 54.53 ± 1.22
Chaetomium brassiliense 58.61 ± 1.23 55.56 ± 1.67 52.1 ± 1.71 50.36 ± 1.84

In-vitro evaluation of fungicides Out of nine tested fungicide, Bavistin completely

There is a significant difference among the test inhibited the mycelial growth of all test fungi and it
fungicides in inhibiting the mycelial growth of was found to be superior to the remaining fungicides.
isolated fungi causing leaf-spot, die-back, Captafal was also found to be quite effective next to
inflorescence-blight, stem gummosis, seedling Bavistin followed by Captaf and Radomil in inhibiting
blight/root rot and nuts infection of cashew. the mycelial growth (Table 3).

71 Khatoon et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2017

Table 3. Inhibition of mycelia growth of test fungi by 9 test-fungicides.

Fungicides Percentage of inhibition of mycelial growth on 10th day
Botryodiplodia Colletotrichum Fusarium Pestalotiopsis Phyllosticta Rhizoctonia Chaetomium
theobromae gloeosporioides oxysporum palmarum sp. solani brassiliense
Bavistin 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Blitox-50 48.03 ± 0.81 66.5 ± 1.22 50.5 ± 1.22 67.23 ± 0.98 60.7 ± 0.94 63 ± 0.81 44.36 ± 1.96
Macozeb 25.36 ± 1.88 37.9 ± 0.73 29.43 ± 1.22 68.83 ± 0.69 26.25 ± 1.25 68.73 ± 1.06 44.06 ± 0.85
Sulfex 18.2 ± 1.2 27.36 ± 0.73 12.03 ± 1.67 36.96 ± 1.63 17.78 ± 1.44 46.03 ± 1.14 36.03 ± 1.63
Captaf 59.03 ± 0.81 67.03 ± 0.81 68.66 ± 1.34 87.46 ± 1.22 55.76 ± 0.61 76.36 ± 2.09 66.3 ± 0.97
Radomil 73.96 ± 1.63 58.46 ± 2.85 23.9 ± 1.55 63 ± 1.22 90.83 ± 1.47 57.8 ± 0.94 45.76 ± 1.47
Dhanucop 46.1 ± 0.82 63.13 ± 0.93 77.03 ±1.22 27.13 ± 0.93 58.66 ± 0.77 49.1 ±1.34 64.83 ± 1.1
Captafal 100 100 67.9 ±0.81 100 68.03 ±0.81 72.36 ±1.55 70.83 ± 0.69
Indofil 34.63 ± 0.89 17.13 ± 0.77 10.93 ±2 22.6 ± 1.3 8.2 ±0.86 12.46 ± 0.57 27.56 ± 1.1

Discussion An unidentified species of Phyllosticta was found to

Among the fungal species isolated during the present be associated to cause leaf-spot of Cashew (Mishra,
investigation Botryodiplodia and Colletotrichum 1983); a report also revealed an unidentified species
were found to be associated in majority of the of Phyllosticta causes leaf-spots. Botryodiplodia
samples under study. Earlier report on an theobromae was found to be associated with die-back,
unidentified species of Cryptosporiopsis sp. was inflorescence-blight and gummosis during the present
found to be associated to cause leaf-spot of cashew
investigation. The pathogenicity of the fungus was
(Sijaon et al., 2005). Botryodiplodia theobromae,
well established with die-back and inflorescence-
associated with die-back, inflorescence-blight and
blight. Association of this fungus with die-back was
gummosis was observed during the present
reported by Mishra (1983) and also its association
investigation. Association of this fungus with die-back
with inflorescence blight was reported (Mishra, 1983
was reported by Mishra, 1983 and Pattnaik et al.,
and Pattnaik et al., 1987). Fusarium oxysporum was
1987. Among all the isolates Colletotrichum
isolated from infected roots of cashew seedlings
gleosporoides associated with gummosis; Fusarium
oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani causing seedling causing seedling blight. The disease was characterized

blight; and Chaetonium brassiliense causing storage
rot of cashew nut. Pestalotiopsis palmarum was
isolated from leaf of cashew causing leaf blight.
Different species of Pestalotiopsis (=Pestalotia)
namely P. conglomarata (Polanco, 1973),
heterocormis (Intini, 1987), P. dichaeta,
microspora, P. palmarum (Sarbkay et. al., 1978;
Mishra, 1983; Adeniyi et al., 2011) have been reported
from different cashew growing countries in the world.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from leaf of
Cashew causing leaf-spot, die-back of twigs and
gummosis of stems. C. gloeosporioides causing leaf
spot (Abraham and Padmakumar, 1980; Freire et al.,
2002) and die back of twigs (Singh et.al., 1967;
Nambiar, 1974) was reported earlier from India. But
there was no report on the association of this fungus
causing gummosis of stem, although an unidentified
species of Colletotrichum was reported earlier
by the yellowing of leaves of seedlings. These
seedlings showed rotting of these roots with infection
starting from the root tips. Infected roots become
black and soft. Vascular browning was obtained in
P. infected seedlings when cut open longitudinally.
P. Rhizoctonia solani was found to cause seedling-blight
of cashew producing the similar types of symptoms as
in case of symptoms produced by F. oxysporum.
Chaetomium brassiliense was isolated from stored
nuts of Cashew causing storage rot. The infected nuts
showed brown to blakish coloured patches on the
surface of nuts. Internal kernel showed dry rot type of
symptoms with brownish discolouration of the
tissues. Mishra (1983) recorded the best growth of
Botryodiplodia theobromae and Phyllosticta sp. on
Potato Dextrose Medium, Colletotrichum sp. on Malt
Extract Agar Medium, Pestalotia sp. on Richard’s

(Mishra, 1983). Agar Medium.

72 Khatoon et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2017

Therefore, the detailed studies on the nutritional Joshi MS. 2005. Leaf blight of cashew incited by
aspects on these fungi causing diseases of Cashew Pestalotia heterocornis Guba. Indian Phytopathology
plants were studied. 58(2), 252.

Mishra KC. 1983. Studies on major disease

Acknowledgement
problems of Cashew A. ocidentale L. in Orissa. MSc.
The authors are thankful to the Head, Post Graduate
thesis, Orissa University of Agricultural and
Department of Botany, Utkal University,
Technology, Odisha, India. P. 78.
Bhubaneswar, and Odisha, India for providing
necessary laboratory facilities to conduct the study. Nambiar MC. 1974. Recent trends in Cashew
The financial assistance received from the University research. Indian Cashew Journal 9, 20-22.

Grants Commission, Govt. of India, and New Delhi in

Olunloyo OA. 1983. Results of three years spraying
the form of Maulana Azad Fellowship to the first
of with fungicide-insecticide combinations against
author is deeply acknowledged.
inflorescence dieback disease of cashew. Plant
Disease 67(12), 1319-1320.
Reference
Abraham M, Padmakumari G. 1980. A new leaf Pattanaik HP, Senapati B, Mishra SK. 1987.
spot disease of Cashew. Indian phytopathology Inflorescence-blight incidence in Cashew vavets- A
33(4), 626-627. preliminary study under East Coast Conditions. The
Cashew 1(2), 10-11.
Adeniyi DO, Orisajo SB, Fademi OA, Adenuga
Shanthi S, Vittal BPR. 2012. Fungal diversity and
OO, Dongo LN. 2011. Physiological studies of fungi
the pattern of fungal colonization of Anacardium
complexes associated with cashew diseases. ARPN
occidentale leaf litter. Mycology: An International
Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science 6(4),
Journal on Fungal Biology 3(2), 132-146.
34-38.
Polanco C. 1973. Two new leaf pathogens of Cashew
Freire FCO, Cardoso JE, Santos AA dos Viana in Venenzuela. Agronomia Trop 23, 373-378.
EMP. 2002. Disease of cashew nut plants
Sarbkay AK, Agarwal DK, Vershney JL. 1978.
(Anacardium occidentale L.) in Brazil. Crop
Ten new host records of Pestalosiopsis from India.
Protection 21, 489-491.
Indian Phytopathology 31, 535-536.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0261-2194(01)00138-7
Sijaona MER, Reeder RH, Waller JM. 2005.
Freire F.da CO, Kozakiewicz Z. 2005. Cashew leaf and nut blight – A new disease of
Filamentous fungi, bacteria and yeasts associated cashew in Tanzania caused by Cryptosporiopsis spp.
with cashew kernels in Brazil. Revista Ciência New Disease Reports 12, 13.
Agronômica 36(2), 249 – 254.
Singh S, Sehgal GS, Pandey PC, Balestei BK.

Hammed LA, Adedeji AR. 2008. Incidence and
control of twig dieback in young cashew in Ibadan
(South - Western Nigeria). Agricultural Journal 3(3),
171-175.
Intini M. 1987. Phytopathological aspects of Cashew
(A. ocidentalis) in Tanzania. International Journal of
Tropical Plant Diseases 5, 115-130.
1967. Anthracthrose disease of Cashew (A. ocidentale
L.) its cause, epidemiology. Indian Foresten 93(6),
374-376.
Suleiman MN. 2010. Occurrence and distribution
of fungi associated with biodeterioration of cashew
nuts in the eastern senatorial district, Kogi State,
Nigeria. Archives of Applied Science Research 2(5),
462-465.

73 Khatoon et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2017

Sutton BC. 1980. The Coelomycetes. Fungi Vajna L, Rozsnyay Z. 2006. First report of
imperfecti with pycnidia, acervuli and stromata UK: powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera pannosa on
Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, 696 P. a new host sour cherry in Hungary. Plant Pathology
55(4), 576.
Teixeira LMS. 1988. Diseases. in: Cashew tree http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3059.2006.01367.x.
culture in North East of Brazil. Vide P.M.S. Lima
(ED.), Joraleza: Brazil. 157-179 P.

74 Khatoon et al.